Kuldeep Yadav had just dismissed a well-set David Warner, who played an uncharacteristic shot and got a top edge while trying to hit the left-arm wrist spinner over the top. With Australia at 125/4, this was India's chance to really pin them down. In walked Alex Carey, who has had a horror run with the bat in this India tour so far. Kuldeep slipped in a googly. Carey did not pick it. He went for a flick and missed it altogether. The ball struck his front pad and substitute keeper Ishan Kishan, captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli went up in a huge appeal. The umpire, however, shook his head.
The immediate reaction of Kishan, Rohit and Kohli was to think about a review. They looked towards the bowler for assistance. Generally, it is the bowler who is the most excited to go for a review even if it is not that close. But in this case, Kuldeep had already turned his back and started to walk back to his run-up.
Not sure about the line, Rohit decided against taking a review. But the moment he saw the replay on the giant screen, he was furious. It was very close and if he had got even a bit of help from Kuldeep, he would have gone upstairs. Rohit was seen having a quick word with Kohli, who too seemed perplexed. Rohit then flung his hands before expressing his disappointment at Kuldeep.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and former India pacer Ajit Agarkar were in the commentary box at that time, they also seemed bemused by the development. A ball later, the ball-tracking showed that the ball would have gone on to clip the leg stump, which means India would not have got the wicket of Carey even if they had gone for the DRS but they would not have lost a review as it was umpire's call.
{{/usCountry}}Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and former India pacer Ajit Agarkar were in the commentary box at that time, they also seemed bemused by the development. A ball later, the ball-tracking showed that the ball would have gone on to clip the leg stump, which means India would not have got the wicket of Carey even if they had gone for the DRS but they would not have lost a review as it was umpire's call.
{{/usCountry}}Watch Video: Kuldeep's act leaves Rohit, Kohli bemused during India vs Australia 3rd ODI
The incident, however, did not seem to distract Kuldeep. He kept hitting the right areas and got the important wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, who too perished while trying to hit Kuldeep over the top. The left-arm wrist spinner came back to send Carey packing in the 39th over of the match. He pitched it on the leg stump and got it to turn sharply past the left-hander's dreaded prod and hit the top of the off stump.
Earlier, it was an inspired spell by vice-captain Hardik Pandya that brought back in the match after a brisk start by Australia openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. Hardik gave India the first breakthrough by getting Head for 33. The right-arm pacer gave a body blow to Australia by getting rid of their captain Steve Smith for a duck an over later with a beautiful outswinger.
In his next over, he got another massive wicket of Marsh. He was looking well set for a big score when Pandya induced a false shot from the right-hander. Marsh dragged it back onto his stumps for 47.